Harmless Chemicals Research Articles

A Method to Determine Metoclopramide Hydrochloride in Oral Dosage Forms by Micellar Liquid Chromatography

Background: Metoclopramide is a widely prescribed antiemetic drug. Its analysis in pharmaceutical formulations often involves procedures using high amounts of toxic chemicals. Objective: A method based on micellar liquid chromatography to determine metoclopramide hydrochloride in several oral dosage forms has been developed. Methods: The drug was resolved from matrix compounds within 6 min using a C18 column with isocratic elution at 1 mL/min utilizing a solution of 0.10 mol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate – 6 % 1- pentanol phosphate buffered at pH 7 as mobile phase, and detection by absorbance at 210 nm. Samples were dissolved or diluted in the mobile phase and directly injected; thus, only one solution had to be prepared for the entire procedure. Besides, it contained mainly harmless chemicals and a minimal amount of organic solvent. Results The procedure was validated by the International Council of Harmonization guidelines and the results were: specificity, calibration range (0.5 – 5.0 mg/L), linearity (r2 > 0.9990), trueness (98.1 – 100.3 %), precision (< 0.7%), robustness, carry-over effect, and system suitability. It was used to analyze commercial samples. Otherwise, it was found the influence of the surfactant on elution strength was nearly three times stronger than that of 1-pentanol. Conclusion: The procedure was reliable, easy-to-conduct, safe, eco-friendly, short-time, widely available and highly sample-throughput, and then useful for routine analysis of metoclopramidebased dosage forms in pharmaceutical quality control.

Two-Dimensional Time Fractional River-Pollution Model and Its Remediation by Unsteady Aeration

This study contains a mathematical model for river pollution and its remediation for an unsteady state and investigates the effect of aeration on the degradation of pollutants. The governing equation is a pair of nonlinear time-fractional two-dimensional advection-diffusion equations for pollutant and dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration. The coupling of these equations arises due to the chemical interactions between oxygen and pollutants, forming harmless chemicals. The Fractional Reduced Differential Transform Method (FRDTM) is applied to provide approximate solutions for the given model. Also, the convergence of solutions is checked for efficacy and accuracy. The effect of longitudinal and transverse diffusion coefficients of pollutant and DO on the concentration of pollutant and DO is analyzed numerically and graphically. Also, we checked the effect of change in the river’s longitudinal and transverse seepage velocity on pollutant and DO concentration numerically and graphically. We analyzed the comparison of change in the value of half-saturated oxygen demand concentration for pollutant decay on pollutant and DO concentration numerically and graphically. Also, numerical and graphical analysis examined the effect of fractional parameters on pollution levels.

The influence of operational factors on the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye in aqueous Sr-Au-ZnO suspensions under UV-A light

Any of several processes that break down dyes, ideally into harmless chemicals, is referred to as industrial dye degradation. Water waste discharges various colors, particularly those used in the textile industry like methyl red and methylene blue, into ecosystems, leading to significant pollution of the water supply. Under UV-A irradiation, the photocatalytic degradation of a commercial heterocyclic aromatic chemical molecule called methylene blue (MB) has been investigated using an aqueous solution of Sr-Au-ZnO as a photocatalyst. Research has been done on how different process characteristics affect the degradation process. For the mineralization of MB dye under UV-A light, it was found that the optimized Sr-Au-ZnO was more effective than commercial catalysts (ZnO and benchmark photocatalyst Degussa P25), single metal dopants (Sr-ZnO, Au-ZnO), and prepared ZnO. The effects of operational parameters, such as the quantity of photocatalyst, dye concentration, and starting pH, on the photo-mineralization of MB are analyzed before optimal values are given. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements have confirmed that MB is mineralized. Using GC–MS analysis, the intermediates produced during photodegradation were predicted, and an appropriate degradation pathway was suggested. This procedure can be used for treating wastewater from sewage since optimized Sr-Au-ZnO is reusable.

Eye - Harmless Chemical and Eye Irrigation

Eye - Harmless Chemical and Eye Irrigation

A new approach for synthesis of bismuth oxide derived photocatalyst for degradation of para nitrophenol

More focus has recently been placed on achieving the sustainable development objectives by 2030. As water is important and ha many purposes, it is important to have clean water. The inefficiency of different water treatment techniques restricts their widespread implementation. Furthermore, some of the procedures readily create secondary pollutants. As a result, it is critical to develop an effective and ecologically beneficial method of converting organic contaminants into non-toxic and harmless chemicals. A modified hydrothermal synthesis method was utilised for successfully producing Bi2O3 nanoparticles in this research. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Energy Dispersive X-Ray were used to characterise and to find the structural, optical, morphological, and compositional aspects of the formed nanoparticles. Moreover, the formed particles were used to degrade the noxious Para-nitrophenol (PNP). PNP deterioration was performed under 3 different conditions: under halogen light, under sunlight and in the dark. The experiment showed that halogen irradiation showed better result. Due to PNP adsorption on Bi2O3, even without irradiation, a small degradation was detected but in just over an hour, under halogen light the catalyst destroyed 99.23 % of 4-nitrophenol. We also used natural lighting in our degradation studies. Natural daylight deterioration efficiency was 63.26 %. The nanoparticles that were formed turned out to be an excellent photocatalyst for the degradation of PNP in wastewater.

Fabrication of zinc oxide nanorods for photocatalytic degradation of docosane, a petroleum pollutant, under solar light simulator.

The use of advanced oxidation processes (AOP) in photocatalysis is critical for treating hazardous chemical compounds in oil-produced water (OPW). ZnO NRs are one of the most important modern and safe photocatalysts and have been easily prepared by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method and grown on glass substrates. Hexagonal-shaped ZnO NRs and a bandgap energy (Eg) of up to 3.2 eV were characterized using SEM, XRD, UV-Vis, and PL devices, respectively. The effectiveness of photocatalytic degradation on the organic docosane solution was evaluated using a solar light simulator. On the surface area of the ZnO NRs, high photon absorption causes e-/h+ pairs to be excited between the VB and CB, producing free radicals that immediately react with organic contaminants and transform them into harmless chemicals. The photocatalytic degradation efficiency of the compound docosane analysed using GC-MS/MS reached 68.5% at 5 hours of irradiation. A mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of docosane was proposed at pH ∼ 6.5, and a reduction of 60.5% of the total organic carbon (TOC) was achieved. Thus, the photocatalytic treatment of organic compounds contained in OPW has great potential and serves an important environmental purpose.

Green chemistry and its implementation in pharmaceutical analysis

Abstract The expanding progression of industrial development has been a pioneer for world economic growth. Green chemistry has been defined as ‘the employment of techniques and methodologies that reduce or eliminate the use or production of feedstocks, products, by-products, solvents, and reagents that are harmful to human health or the environment’. The quality-by-design approach is well-known in the pharmaceutical industry, and it has a great influence on analytical methods and procedures. In the green method of chemistry, the core consideration is directed towards the design of a material or the chemical procedure; four of twelve principles are associated with design, e.g. designing fewer hazardous chemical syntheses, designing harmless chemicals and products, designing for energy effectiveness, and designing for degradation. One of the most active fields of research and development in green chemistry is the establishment of analytical methodologies, leading to the beginning of so-called green analytical chemistry. The influences of green chemistry on pharmaceutical analysis, the environment, the population, the analyst, and companies are discussed in this review, and they are multidimensional. Every selection and analytical attitude affects both the end-product and everything that surrounds it.

Easily hydroxylated PtxPd1-x-TiO2 nanotube arrays: An energetic Schottky photocatalyst for synergistically boosted degradation of Microcystin-LR

The metal co-catalyst-based photocatalytic oxidation technology provides a promising approach to eliminate contaminants from water. However, the applicability of these catalysts often suffer from severe carrier recombination and high activation energy barriers of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Herein, self-supporting TiO2 nanotube arrays were engineered with PtPd atom clusters having atomically controlled molar ratio, assembling a dynamic Mott-Schottky catalyst for photocatalytic removal of Microcystin-LR, a toxin produced by cyanobacteria. The separation of photogenerated carriers and the creation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are optimized by regulating electronic construction via tailoring the Pd ratio in PtPd atom clusters (ca. 4.6 nm in size). The exciton lifetime of the optimum Pt0.9Pd0.1-TiO2 is shortened from 2.51 ns on pure TiO2 to 1.16 ns, and the Gibbs free energy for forming hydroxyl radicals (•OH) varies from −0.826 eV (pure TiO2) to −2.576 eV, powering plentiful •OH when Pt0.9Pd0.1-TiO2 illuminated under solar lights. The kinetic constant of Pt0.9Pd0.1-TiO2 for MC-LR removal is 12.7 times higher than that of the pristine TiO2, presenting exceptional photocatalytic capacity in turning Microcystin-LR into harmless chemicals.

Factor analysis for stiffness and strength of fully biogenic and biodegradable jute-soy protein composites

Harmless chemicals, such as water, glycerin, or sodium lauryl sulfate, have long been used to produce soy protein-jute fiber composites for a wide range of applications. In addition to a variety of natural binders, soy protein concentrates in particular are low-cost byproducts of soybean processing and are abundant. These renewable raw materials have been extensively studied to develop biodegradable composites. In most approaches to composite development, the soy protein is chemically modified, resulting in higher production costs and lower sustainability of the composites. In this work, the influence of important parameters on the mechanical properties of jute fabric - soy protein matrix - composites for commercially relevant applications, such as packaging materials or top layers in dry room applications, was investigated. In particular, the results of a full factorial experimental design are presented, in which the factors glycerol content, content of sodium lauryl sulfate, pressure parameters and stirring time as well as their mutual interactions were investigated.

Targeted Drug Delivery: Synthesis of Smart Nanocarriers for School Chemistry Education

This publication presents a series of experiments in the field of nanomedicine for high school chemistry education and student laboratories, developed as a collaborative project between chemistry didactics and chemical research. In this context, polymeric nanocarriers represent a promising approach for drug delivery, acting as “smart packaging material” to ensure transport to the desired location in the body and a targeted release. This offers the opportunity of a locally higher drug concentration while reducing the overall dose administered and minimizing side effects of the drugs. In this article, we illustrate how this attractive field of research can be linked to polymer chemistry as a classical school topic through the model of transfer research. In addition, we present three experiments where polymer nanocarriers are (1) synthesized and (2) loaded with a fluorescent model substance, which is (3) selectively released through the degradation of the polyester carrier via hydrolysis. All experiments can be performed with simple and harmless chemicals within a time frame of two school lessons.

Nanoantioxidants: The Fourth Generation of Antioxidants—Recent Research Roadmap and Future Perspectives

Antioxidants work by interacting with free radicals and converting them into harmless chemicals, interfering with the progression of potentially hazardous chain reactions. Antioxidants are useful in treating illnesses induced by free radicals because they help minimize oxidative stress. Antioxidants, whether natural or synthetic, have a limited effect on cellular health and function because of their low absorption, inability to traverse cellular membrane, and disintegration during delivery. The benefits of antioxidants, both natural and synthetic, are comparable. The use of antioxidants that are covalently attached to nanoparticles, or encased in particles with a hollow center, or feature the nanomaterial encapsulation of various origins has been employed to solve these challenges to provide improved stability, slow and slow sustained release, biocompatibility, and targeted administration. This review examines the importance of metal-based antioxidants and methods for enhancing antioxidant activities based on recent studies.

Characterization of Citric Acid Treated Partially Cold‐Water Swellable Sorghum and Corn Starch Extrudates; A Green Approach

AbstractThe present study investigates a green approach for tailoring the properties of sorghum and corn starches. Since, citric acid is a harmless chemical; therefore, starches modified via citric acid as well as extrusion can be labeled as “Green.” Citric acid modification at two different levels 20% and 40% prior to the extrusion technique influence the functional, thermal, structural, and rheological properties of starch extrudates. The swelling index is found to be lower for CA‐treated extrudates and decreases as CA level increases from 20% to 40%. Prior citric acid modification is found to lower the viscosity of the starch extrudates while increases in water retention capacity is observed. All CA‐treated extrudates show signs of more viscous behavior with Gʺ > Gʹ at lower frequency. Creep recovery curves imply that deformation of S40‐Ex (40% w/v citric acid treated sorghum starch extrudate) and C40‐Ex (40% w/v citric acid treated corn starch extrudate) gel shows the minimum value of instantaneous strain indicating their higher recoveries. The induced properties of starch extrudates after modification with citric acid urge the possible use of these extrudates as industrial cold water swell‐able instant starch in ready to eat food products.

Study on Soda–Ethanol Delignification of Pine Sawdust for a Biorefinery

The soda–ethanol process was conceived as a sulfur-free pulping process, which may also be an alternative to conventional alkaline pulping, such as kraft or soda–AQ in the biorefinery context. An in-depth study using two experimental designs was conducted to establish the viability of soda–ethanol delignification of pine sawdust. At first, a simple factorial design involving the ethanol–water ratio (ethanol:water) and the alkaline load (AL, % over dry wood, odw) was applied to define the levels of these variables and their eventual interaction. Then, a 32 experimental design was performed to evaluate the ability of the process concerning the pulping of pine sawdust. The tested conditions were carefully selected to screen a broad range of cooking times (60, 100, and 140 min) and alkaline loads (19.0, 23.3, and 27.6 %odw) to obtain pulps with different extents of delignification (residual lignin contents). Finally, the kraft, soda–AQ, and soda–ethanol treatments were compared. Soda–ethanol pulping was shown to be a suitable delignification stage for a biorefinery scheme of Pinus elliottii and Pinus taeda sawdust. It has many advantages over traditional processes regarding its environmental impact, harmless chemicals, and selectivity. The tested conditions were similar to those frequently used in conventional pulping at an industrial scale, suggesting the technical feasibility of the soda–ethanol process for pine sawdust processing.

Green Chemistry and Molecularly Imprinted Membranes.

Technological progress has made chemistry assume a role of primary importance in our daily life. However, the worsening of the level of environmental pollution is increasingly leading to the realization of more eco-friendly chemical processes due to the advent of green chemistry. The challenge of green chemistry is to produce more and better while consuming and rejecting less. It represents a profitable approach to address environmental problems and the new demands of industrial competitiveness. The concept of green chemistry finds application in several material syntheses such as organic, inorganic, and coordination materials and nanomaterials. One of the different goals pursued in the field of materials science is the application of GC for producing sustainable green polymers and membranes. In this context, extremely relevant is the application of green chemistry in the production of imprinted materials by means of its combination with molecular imprinting technology. Referring to this issue, in the present review, the application of the concept of green chemistry in the production of polymeric materials is discussed. In addition, the principles of green molecular imprinting as well as their application in developing greenificated, imprinted polymers and membranes are presented. In particular, green actions (e.g., the use of harmless chemicals, natural polymers, ultrasound-assisted synthesis and extraction, supercritical CO2, etc.) characterizing the imprinting and the post-imprinting process for producing green molecularly imprinted membranes are highlighted.

BIOGENIC SYNTHESIS OF COPPER NANOPARTICLES AND THEIR BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS: AN OVERVIEW

Copper nanoparticles are one of the most promising agents in the field of nanotechnology which has the widest range of applications in various fields. Copper is an inorganic and safest material to humans, extensively used as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-cancer agent and also as catalysts and sensors in high potential, peculiarly in nanosize. This emerged the preparation of CuNPs using various techniques. Many conventional methods have been employed for the synthesizing CuNPs which include electron beam lithography, inert gas condensation, ion implantation, laser ablation, mechanical milling, mechanical grinding, pulsed wire discharge, spray pyrolysis, vacuum vapour deposition, chemical reduction method, electrochemical method, microemulsion method, microwave method and solvothermal decomposition method. Relatively the biological method is highly recommended for the synthesis of CuNPs due to the absence of harmless chemicals, enhanced biocompatibility, eco-friendly, greater biological activity and low toxicity. This review is focussing on the biogenic synthesis of CuNPs using plants and micro-organisms, reaction conditions, characterization techniques and their applications.

Экспериментальные исследования воспламенения нитрата аммония при взаимодействии с порошками магния и серы

Выполнены экспериментальные исследования взрывоопасности взаимореагирующих веществ: нитрата аммония (аммиачной селитры), который является сильным окислителем, относится к пожароопасным соединениям, в смеси с магнием и серой. Исследования свидетельствуют о взрывоопасности металлов и серы при их взаимодействии с пожароопасным веществом - окислителем (нитратом аммония). Эти особенности аммиачной селитры должны учитываться в процессе ее обращения (производство, хранение, транспортирование, применение, утилизация), при предотвращении и тушении пожаров. Ammonium nitrate (ammonia nitrate) is widely used in industry and in agriculture. The use of ammonium nitrate as a fertilizer gives this strong oxidizer a reputation of harmless agricultural chemical. At the same time, many cases of fires and explosions were registered during the storage, transportation and processing of saltpeter. Saltpeter decomposes with the release of highly toxic nitrogen oxides, which actively maintain combustion, and in case of fire also with release of oxygen. The analysis of statistical data on fires and explosions during the circulation of ammonium nitrate indicates serious problems in ensuring fire and explosion safety of buildings and structures in particular facilities of its storage. Clean and dry saltpeter explodes at normal temperature only in the presence of large volumes of the substance under the influence of a strong initiator, for example, a detonator. However, in the presence of some substances of both organic and inorganic origin the decomposition temperature of saltpeter decreases and this process of chemical spontaneous combustion can lead to an explosion. There are conducted experimental investigations by the method of constant volume bomb to determine the excess explosion pressure (ΔР) at interaction of ammonium nitrate with magnesium and sulfur powders and to compare these data with the calculated data of the excess explosion pressure (ΔР). It is established that the explosion pressure increases continuously with an increase in the concentration of the oxidant for mutually reactive substances consisting of combustible chemical element (magnesium, sulfur) and ammonium nitrate. This feature of the explosion of metals with an oxidizer - ammonium nitrate is a consequence of metal oxidation as well as the direct influence of decomposition products of the oxidizer in explosion. The growth of the overpressure of the explosion is also determined in the experiments when changing the volume of the reaction vessel (bomb camera) At the same specific weight of the mixture of mutually reactive substances (magnesium - ammonium nitrate) the explosion pressure increases with the volume of the bomb (the camera). The performed studies show that the contact of ammonium nitrate (ammonia nitrate) with foreign inclusions (additives) and, in particular, with metals and sulfur can lead to an explosion.

Hydrocarbon Associated Toxicities: a Case Series and Review of Literature

Background: Hydrocarbon associated toxicity (HAT) is an emerging threat related to wide scale industrialization and easy access to hydrocarbon-containing chemical compounds. Hydrocarbons have a unique toxicological profile and the principles of managing related toxidromes are considerably different from other toxins. Case reports: Here, we present a case series and in-depth review of the existing literature to show the risks associated with these seemingly harmless chemicals, and the approved guidelines for treating exposed patients. In all three cases, the hydrocarbon was a diluent for a pesticide. The amount of pesticide ingested was nontoxic, while the hydrocarbons caused a dose-independent physical toxicity to the lungs. Discussion: Hydrocarbon associated toxicities often go unnoticed because of their usage as diluents for various other toxic chemicals. Their treatment usually differs from other toxins that may have been consumed with them, albeit in insignificant quantities. Conclusion: Recognition of a hydrocarbon diluent in a consumed toxin marks the first step in the correct treatment. Correct labeling of chemical solutions containing hydrocarbons would go a long way in identifying these toxins.

Green Synthesis of Encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles Using a Hydroalcoholic Extract of Moringa oleifera Leaves and Assessment of Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities.

The synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts is a very promising method in green synthesis. The medicinal value of Moringa oleifera leaves and the antimicrobial activity of metallic copper were combined in the present study to synthesize copper nanoparticles having a desirable added-value inorganic material. The use of a hydroalcoholic extract of M. oleifera leaves for the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles is an attractive method as it leads to the production of harmless chemicals and reduces waste. The total phenolic content in the M. oleifera leaves extract was 23.0 ± 0.3 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of dried M. oleifera leaves powder. The M. oleifera leaves extract was treated with a copper sulphate solution. A color change from brown to black indicates the formation of copper nanoparticles. Characterization of the synthesized copper nanoparticles was performed using ultraviolet-visible light (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesized copper nanoparticles have an amorphous nature and particle size of 35.8-49.2 nm. We demonstrate that the M. oleifera leaves extract and the synthesized copper nanoparticles display considerable antioxidant activity. Moreover, the M. oleifera leaves extract and the synthesized copper nanoparticles exert considerable anti-bacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis (MIC values for the extract: 500, 250, 250, and 250 µg/mL; MIC values for the copper nanoparticles: 500, 500, 500, and 250 µg/mL, respectively). Similarly, the M. oleifera leaves extract and the synthesized copper nanoparticles exert relatively stronger anti-fungal activity against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata (MIC values for the extract: 62.5, 62.5, 125, and 250 µg/mL; MIC values for the copper nanoparticles: 125, 125, 62.5, and 31.2 µg/mL, respectively). Our study reveals that the green synthesis of copper nanoparticles using a hydroalcoholic extract of M. oleifera leaves was successful. In addition, the synthesized copper nanoparticles can be potentially employed in the treatment of various microbial infections due to their reported antioxidant, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal activities.

Poppers: legal highs with questionable contents? A case series of poppers maculopathy

BackgroundPoppers are volatile alkyl nitrite compounds that are inhaled to enhance sexual experience and for their psychoactive effects. A less well-known side effect is foveal maculopathy, which has emerged following...

Development of a Bioprocess to Reduce Pathogenic Load and Malodor of Human Night Soil

Managing solid waste, especially fecal matter is a growing challenge worldwide. According to WHO, 2.6 billion people lack access to adequate sanitation. Only 26-50 % of Indian population has access to proper sanitation facilities. The problem of untreated human excrement or night soil is not only restricted to urban development’s or defense camps; even religious gatherings are affected by the lack of sanitation. Religious event such as annual pilgrimage of Pandharpur is one such glaring example. Such defecated matter, if left untreated will cause environmental pollution and serious health hazards, which is evident from the offensive mal odor and associated pathogenic load. In the present investigation, we have described a bioprocess that uses a defined formulation comprising of microorganisms and harmless chemicals. The said bioprocess results in accelerated degradation of organic matter that reduces the environment polluting organic load associated with fecal excreta. The bioprocess also inhibits the health compromising microbial pathogens that are inhibited by various metabolites produced by Lactobacillus component of microbial formulation. The bioprocess also results in the generation of methane gas subsequent to organic matter deg-radation and can be used as a source of fuel. The process also generates or-ganic slurry that can be used as fertilizer/ organic manure. Thus, the present investigation has described a process for treatment of fecal excreta in closed or open environment to inhibit pathogens, mal odor, pollution associated with untreated fecal excreta.